Driver Hire now on track for expansion

1:45am Thursday 20th December 2007

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Bosses at a Bingley workforce supplier say their firm is on track for future growth and development following a reorganisation of the business.

Driver Hire has made two new appointments to its management team and completed a restructure which it says will ensure complete alignment with its business strategy.

The firm was set up in 1983 by Bradford City Football Club joint-chairman Mark Lawn.

In its short history it has enlarged into a nationwide firm now boasting more than 100 franchises.

The company has expanded its national sales capability by creating a regional sales team which will target a number of new key customers in the UK and Ireland.

The new team will work alongside Driver Hire's existing national accounts' sales team and will report to Steve Wortley, Driver Hire's business development director.

In addition Wayne Clarkson, formerly with Avery Weigh-Tronix, has joined the company as network development director - a newly created position.

Mr Clarkson, who lives in Idle, Bradford, will work with five area managers to develop sales, recruitment and customer services throughout Driver Hire's franchised and managed office network.

Jeremy Neale, of Calverley, is the business's new head of business process.

Formerly with Cap Gemini and GE Capital, Mr Neale is bringing his business process expertise to this new position within the company.

His team will focus on Driver Hire's supply of staff using technology and smart processes to ensure that Driver Hire continues to deliver services to its customers.

Commenting on the reorganisation and appointments, Driver Hire's chief executive Chris Chidley said: "Our existing structure has served us well.

"It's helped us to deliver 70-plus weeks of continuous growth with 40 per cent of our network growing by 25 per cent.

"The moves we are announcing today will take us to the next level by improving our quality of customer service and business process, providing efficient and compliant operations whilst enhancing our sales and marketing capabilities."

Today the company is the UK's biggest provider of temporary drivers to industry and is a frequent winner at British Franchise Association's Franchiser of the Year awards.